We Got Soul, We Can Heal

Poet Alice Walker has described culture as something in which one should thrive; further, that healing means putting the heart, courage, and energy back into one’s self within one’s own culture. Similarly, the “yes, yes ya’ll,” phrase, used by classic 1990’s-era hip hop DJs and artists, evokes the passion in Black American culture. Written with that same celebratory spirit—and using the idea of culture and SOUL synonymously—this book explores of the ways in which integrating SOUL (culture) with contemplative practices can foster healing and restoration, expanding our understanding of leadership and community interaction and impact. With years of experience in higher education and as a mentor and teacher living in Senegal, the author stresses the importance of celebrating Black cultures, including the role of ancestry, community interdependence, elder-mentors and institutions such as HBCUs.

Phyllis Jeffers-Coly is a healing artist and long-time higher ed practitioner. She and her husband founded Diasporic Soul, which offers healing and restoration experiences for Black people, including heritage travel and healing-centered leadership development for Black college-aged youth in Senegal, West Africa.

Phyllis Jeffers-Coly

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 236
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8474-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4463-9
Imprint: Toplight

Preface: Here Is What We Know 1
Chapter I. We Got SOUL; We Feel Good! 9
Chapter II. It Ain’t Right: ­Race-Based Stress and Trauma 20
Chapter III. Getting to Theibbu Jenn: Surrendering to Love and Community 36
Chapter IV. #CommunityHeals: Getting to Theibbu Jenn, Part II 48
Chapter V. In Big and Small Ways: The Importance of ­Elder-Mentors 60
Chapter VI. Waiting on Red Birds: Honoring Our Ancestors 73
Chapter VII. #RitualHeals: Meeting Mami Wata 89
Chapter VIII. #NatureHeals: This Land Is Our Land 100
Chapter IX. #GoingHome: Healing Where the Wounds Were Made 115
Chapter X. #CultureHeals: Bold, Bright, Brilliant and Beautiful 135
Chapter XI. #LoveHeals: ­Self-Love and Being Your Authentic Self 149
Chapter XII. My SOUL to Keep: ­Self-Care and Resilience 162
Chapter XIII. #YogaHeals: Being at Home in Our Own Bodies 176
Chapter XIV. #XEEX!: Resistance Is Healing 199
Chapter Notes 211
Bibliography 219
Index 235